The new Cadillac front-wheel drive/all-wheel drive, XTS replaces the
aging full-size sedans called STS and DTS. While slightly smaller than it
progenitors, XTS feels about the same in terms of interior space and it is
more agile on the road, being a full generation more sophisticated in
chassis design and in dynamic qualities. Assembled in the Oshawa, Ontario
plant the new XTS promises to put Cadillac back into the mainstream of
full-size luxury cars.

Inside we find a comfortable, generous, well-appointed cockpit with
good quality materials, although our test car shows a bit of lumpiness in
the broad expanses on top of the dash. That may be an anomaly. A thin line
of suede trim on either side of the dash appears a bit rough where it seams
with the neighboring leather, but it is an attractive styling detail. The
overall style and design of the dash is attractive and elegant in
appearance. A storage bin tucked tightly into the base of the center stack
is useful for phone or sunglasses but retrieving items often results in
accidentally opening the deep cubby where the USB port resides. The touch
surface that actuates the cover did not always respond to my touch.

A full application of Cadillac’s new CUE (Cadillac User
Experience) brings controls for connectivity, climate control, audio,
navigation and many other functions to a large touch-screen high on the
center stack. I remember commenting a few years ago on the more than
four-dozen knobs, buttons and switches on the dash of an Escalade. This XTS
dash is clean and neat with flat touch surfaces that respond with a soft
thud (haptic feedback) when actuated.

Having lived with two Cadillacs in a row in winter with nearly
identical dash designs – the new ATS and this XTS – I can say
that I’m not fond of this hard, cold dash. Though intriguing, it
cannot be managed with cotton gloves on, and that surface is mighty cold on
the unprotected fingers. A fairly steep learning curve accompanies many of
the controls, including cruise control. While as a reviewer I get annoyed
when I have to go to the manual to figure something out, it really
won’t take long for folks to learn new ways of doing things. Younger
buyers may find it much easier to acclimate.

The Goldilocks seats were not too firm and not too soft. They were
just right for my ample backside. We drove to Chicago and back – 3 ½
hours each way – without a hint of butt fatigue. Decent lateral
support and plenty of adjustability will allow most folks to fit well. The
rear seat has plenty of room for guests, and trunk capacity is excellent.

Only one powertrain comes in the XTS – a 3.6-liter, direct
injected V6 mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The EPA rates this
combination at 28-mpg on the highway, and 17 in the city on regular fuel.
With 304 horsepower and 264 pound-feet of torque using regular fuel, we
found that to be plenty of power for this luxury sedan. We have decent
acceleration under full throttle as we enter the freeway or if we just
punch it for fun. With a 0-to-60 mph time of around 7 seconds you’ll
win a few stop-light races if you like. Not many XTS drivers aspire to that
kind of competition, we’ll bet. (You’ll need the CTS-V rocket
ship for racing.) With a 19-gallon fuel tank we have well over 400 miles of
highway cruising range in most environments. We were unable to find the
cumulative or instant fuel mileage readouts among the data outputs so
we’re not sure exactly what our mileage was for the week.

The XTS comes with lots of safety features beyond the multitude of
airbags – lane departure warning, blind spot indicator, adaptive
headlights, rear view camera and other features. The signal for the lane
departure warning is a tickly buzz in your bum. If your turn signal is not
on and you flirt with, or cross, the lane indicator line to your left or
right the corresponding side of the driver’s seat will buzz. I got
used to it quickly and found it rather helpful, and maybe just a little
stimulating. Other elements of the XTS’s ergonomics take more
patience in getting used to.

The XTS’s design reflects Cadillac’s angular and
distinctive styling language. Its profile and stance are impressive, making
the car look large but not bulky. For those who think all cars look alike
these days I’ll posit that most would immediately recognize this as a
Cadillac.

Cadillac’s new car warranty covers the entire car for 4 years
or 50,000 miles and the powertrain for 6 years of 70,000 miles. One year of
OnStar service come with the car and a subscription is required after that.

It seems the older I get the more I like large, comfortable sedans,
but I have not lost the need for strong and agile performance and handling.
The new XTS provides a good balance of both.

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